Homestead mailing list

[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Lynn Wigglesworth wrote:
> Hey Bev; I did almost nothing all weekend. I was going to rev up the
> tractor and take a few bales of hay out to the animals before the
> snow storm hit, but it started snowing Friday morning and snowed
> until Sunday afternoon. My mother had a doctor's appointment on
> Friday afternoon, and we drove around in almost white-out conditions.
> The snow is too deep now to get to where the bales are stored...the
> tractor can travel with a bale on the back (extra weight), but gets
> stuck as soon as I put the bale down...a real catch-22. Fortunately I
> planned ahead this time and put a few bales in the barn. So I've been
> feeding hay in the barn. It's easier for me, but makes a mess in the
> barn that I have to clean out later. It's fun to think of you raking
>  leaves; I haven't seen the ground since early December.


Well, I hadn't seen the ground either, that's why I was raking leaves!
When you live in the woods in the South, that's the equivalent to
shoveling snow!  (not really, but it sounded good for a second)

> The firewood on the porch it getting low, so I plan to bring a couple
>  sledsfull up...I was going to say "before the really cold weather
> hits", but it was 4 degrees this morning.

What kind of sled do you use?  I have a huge wheelbarrow that I put
large tiller tires on(for traction), but I know that wouldn't work in
heavy snow.
4 Degrees.  IMO, that is bone chilling cold.  We do see temps that cold
maybe one night a winter, but it is short-lived, usually.  What is the
humidity like when it is single digit degrees up there?



> I think you need to give the tumeric more time to work. Is it just
> supposed to help with the inflammation, or is it supposed to work on
> the root of the problem? I think anything that is benign and can cut
> down on the amount of commercial drugs  is a good thing. I don't know
> how you can get so much done when you are in pain.

I have not stopped taking it.  It should go to the root of the problem,
not just treat the symptoms, so I am not giving up hope yet.  Taking
this much turmeric, even for just a week, has changed the way I smell
and it is a smell I will have to adjust to if I continue on with this
treatment.  It is not a good smell.  The curcumin is oozing from my
pores, lol..  But I am committed to giving it a good month long trial,
at least.  If I see any improvement at all, I will obviously go longer.
 I have to stay functional and moving though. Already I am slowing down,
like a rusting tin man.  It took me 10-15 minutes(with pain) to bring in
wood for the day's fire this morning, a task that normally only takes 5
minutes or less sans pain.


> I can't do a pushup, either. Even my couch potato son can do one...I
> think it's something about the distribution of muscles. A woman's
> strength is in the lower body. I've found that's true. I often can't
> move a big round bale by putting my shoulder to it, but if I can lean
> against another bale and get my feet against the bale, I can easily
> push it with my legs. Of course it would be more convenient to have
> the upper body strength to be able to heft a 100 pound sack on my
> shoulder, but I don't think that's ever going to happen. The kid at
> the feed store carries 100 pounds on his shoulder and a 50 pound bag
> under each arm. Sigh. Maybe I should just go after a strong man 
> instead of building up my own muscles...I can bat my eyes and play
> the helpless female? Nobody who knows me would ever fall for that.
> :-)

Don't do that.  Don't act helpless.
I'm glad to hear that you can't do a pushup.  It does make me feel
better.  I am definitely stronger in my legs, and always have been.

B



--
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will
not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius
will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the
world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone
are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve
the problems of the human race"

~ Calvin Coolidge